"Okay. You still want to talk to your dad?"

"It must be done. It would not do for him to find out from anyone beside myself."

"Yeah, you're right. These things get out." Jim took a deep breath and fidgeted with the hem of his shirt.

"Jim?" Spock raised a questioning eyebrow to go along with his meaningful look.

"I guess I'm kind of nervous." Jim laughed at himself lightly. "I mean, I've already met your father, and my first impression wasn't… ideal."

"It was necessary at the time. As a full Vulcan he would not hold a grudge as it would be illogical. If I am over it, he should be as well."

Jim laughed and took another breath. "Okay. Let's do this."

They sat down together at Jim's desk, and as they waited for Sarek to answer the transmission, Jim asked, "Can we tell the older you, too?"

"I believe the news would please him."

The link was picked up on New Vulcan, and Spock requested his father.

"Greetings, Spock," Sarek said. He was still dressed in his formal ambassador robes. He noticed Jim a second later and inclined his head. "Captain Kirk."

"Father, are you well?"

"I am adequate. I have only just returned from a conference. I return your query."

"I am well. However, there is a matter we wished to inform you of personally."

"Is the news Federation business or of a personal nature?"

"It is personal, Father. Jim and I have entered a romantic relationship." Sarek raised an eyebrow, but Spock continued before he could speak. "I know that our bonding could be seen as illogical as we as a race face extinction, but it is highly unlikely that I would be useful in the ventures of reproduction due to my genetics. I wish for your blessing, though I know you may not approve. If that is the case, I will apologize beforehand for going against your will, but I love him, father. He is t'hy'la, and I will have no one else."

Jim gazed at Spock. His open, but very Vulcan, defiance was a thing to be awed. Jim felt several emotions he couldn't completely identify knowing that Spock was defending him.

"Be calm, my son. The change in your status was sudden. I was simply unprepared. I would not ask you to leave the man you love, though I understand your protectiveness. I also know what it is to love a human. Discovering t'hy'la is a singular opportunity that would be illogical to renounce. I rejoice with thee."

"Thank you Father. I am grateful."

"Me too," Jim piped up though still quieter than normal.

"There is no need to be apprehensive of me, James," Sarek said, "It is not in your nature to be subdued. May it be a comfort for you to know that there is no logic in disapproving of my son's t'hy'la."

"Thanks, sir," Jim replied. He perked up after this and smiled like a ray of sunshine designed to melt Spock's insides.

Sarek noticed his son's reaction to the man sitting next to him and was pleased. Perhaps Spock would find his balance.

"Do you intend to set a bonding date?"

"There is still much we need to discuss. I simply wished to inform you of our relationship in person."

"I appreciate your consideration, my son. Though it is not urgent, if you have nothing else you wish to discuss, I do require meditation."

"Of course, Father. Before you retire, would you connect us with Ambassador Silvok?"

"Certainly. I bid you both farewell. Live long and Prosper."

"Live long and prosper," Spock and Jim echoed.

"So, older you's new name is Silvok?"

"Yes, to avoid any confusion or further suspicion."

"Logical."

"Indeed."

When Silvok appeared on the screen, he greeted Jim first and inclined his head to Spock.

"So," Jim began, "We have some news."

Spock looked at Jim, who smiled encouragingly, before saying, "We are t'hy'la."

Silvok allowed his lips to morph into a full-blown grin while his eyes glittered happily. "Forgive an old man his sentimentality, but this is the most pleasing news I have received in many years. I wish you both the best. Perhaps your relationship will be smoother than the one I shared with my James. You do have considerable more time than we did to work things out."

As Silvok spoke, he composed himself again. "Is there anything you could suggest for us to avoid?" Jim questioned curiously. Between their chairs, out of the range of the view screen, his and Spock's hands tangled together.

"I would advise you both to come to one another with an open mind. Do not hide yourselves from one another. Neither your past nor your culture is going to compel the other to leave you," Silvok paused. "This may be embarrassing to you, young one, but if I had had someone to direct me, I would have wanted them to stress this point: your mate is not Vulcan. He has human needs, and you will both be more emotionally sound if you do not force him to stray."

"We have just had this discussion. I am willing to set aside the more orthodox of our views to accommodate both Jim's and mine own more human tendencies." If Spock had intended to continue, he did not have the opportunity with Jim's interruption.

"Back up a second. He cheated on you?"

"Several times. I cannot lay the blame solely on my Jim's shoulders. I acted with much fear and pushed him away at times when he needed me the most."

Jim was aghast. He caught Spock's gaze and said, "Consider it an order that if I ever do that to you, you'll have me killed slowly."

"Jim…"

"I mean it, Spock." He addressed the Ambassador again, "I don't understand how he could cheat on you. Why would he want to? We've only been together for a few hours, but I can't even fathom wanting to be with another being in that way. He makes me feel things I never felt for anyone."

"His behavior does not unerringly reflect on you. You are very different people. Perhaps you will offer your Spock true fidelity in the way my Jim was unable to commit to me."

"Admittedly, I haven't been in very many relationships that fulfill the definition of the word, but I've never cheated. I would hate myself."

"Though the circumstances are extremely unfortunate, perhaps this is because you lost your father. You were privy to a terrible sense of abandonment at a young age and as a result have cultivated an unshakeable loyalty."

"I am confident that we will be adept at working through our own difficulties as they come," Spock interjected.

Jim smiled. "I think you're right."

Jim's fingers slipped out of Spock's as he stretched, emitting a monumental yawn.

Silvok almost smiled again at this. "I will bid you both goodnight for the evening. I am required in the botany labs in the morning, and I must mediate."

"Farewell, Silvok," Spock said as Jim replied, "Talk to you later old man."

"I am grateful that you do not call me that."

Jim laughed. "Chess before bed?"

"Are you certain you are able to remain awake?"

"Yeah. If I went to bed now I wouldn't fall asleep. Do you want some tea?"

"That would be agreeable, t'hy'la." Spock admired Jim's profile as he stood at the replicator and felt content for the first time since the implosion of Vulcan.

Jim set down Spock's tea and leaned over to kiss him. Spock unconsciously arched his spine and tipped his head back to meet him. Spock's hair fell out of place, and when he pulled away, Jim was mesmerized by his half-Vulcan's beauty.

Forty-five minutes later, Jim was chasing Spock's king with his rook. "I'd say that this one is a draw."

"Indeed. Do you require rest now?"

"Would you stay with me?"

"Do you think that wise as we have yet to come to an agreement on the physical nature of our relationship?"

"I'll keep my hands off."

"Then I shall endeavor to do the same."